Share Email Opening Apply Now Title Direct Support Professional (DSP)  Description Welcome to Cottonwood Community Alternatives, Inc. Cottonwood Community Alternatives, Inc. is a private, non-profit agency established to provide a broad spectrum of services to Colorado citizens with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Your Career Starts Here Being a Direct Support Professional is more than just helping someone with their daily activities, it is assisting someone to live a meaningful life. Direct care is a valuable career that not only changes the lives of the individuals you support, but also changes your life too! Pay starts at $20-$20.50/hour.  Individual Related Duties: Supervise and assist residence in planning and completion of daily, weekly and monthly routine such as laundry, hygiene, meal planning / preparation and activities, ensuring full participation of residents, as per individual need and according to their SP and ISSP, completing documentation as per agency guidelines. Implement and document Individual Service and Support plans, safety plans, and behavior management plans as stated, documenting after completion using progress notes and data collection forms specified per individual. Be aware of individual behavioral issues, providing appropriate intervention, counseling, and follow-up for unusual behaviors or reactions as needed. Document unusual behaviors/reactions in case file and using behavior tracking and/or incident report form as per agency guidelines. Provide transportation to and from the community as per individual need and as assigned, including recreational activities, medical appointments, shopping, or job/day program as assigned. Promote community integration in use of public transportation, use of good pedestrian skills, knowledge of neighborhood, and use of public transportation whenever possible. Participate as a member of Interdisciplinary Team, attending meetings and completing skills assessments as assigned, giving input regarding observations/recommendations of individual in service progress and needs.  Assure that resident gets needed medical attention by documenting medication administration, familiarizing self with individual medical concerns, supervising appointments, documenting all medical visits with consultation sheets, and any medical concerns in individual notes as per agency guidelines, responding to emergency situations as per Emergency Data Form in individual file. Maintain inventory of individual possessions on an annual basis, or as possessions are obtained or disposed of and as requested by supervisor. Evaluate individual skills using evaluative tools prior to staffing or upon request. Maintain in-house case and medical files, ensuring that all individual case and medical information is up to date. Assist with family visits, participation, and requests in a polite and helpful manner reflective of agency philosophy, referring family questions or problems to supervisor and following through on requested actions within designated time. Cooperate with and support vocational staff or day program placement including transportation or related training to and from program as requested, ensure needed supplies for individuals are provided (change of clothes, medications, money, lunches, etc.), submitting needed leave request forms to appropriate program prior to medical or vacation absences, maintaining good public relations and communication with day program, and notifying CCA office of questions or concerns. Facility Related Duties: Providing guidance and assistance to residents to ensure that units are maintained in a clean and healthy manner, meeting guidelines on facility checklist on ongoing basis, and assisting with plan of correction in deficient areas. Conduct and document monthly fire drills using specified procedures and fire drill log, assisting residence in increasing independence in evacuation skills and general safety knowledge.  Notify supervisor of maintenance or household supply needs, obtaining such needed supplies as are stocked at the CCA office prior to end of shift, and submitting a list of such supplies as are not stocked to office.  Meet resident nutritional needs by assisting them in development of balanced, written menus twice monthly, making substitutions within food groups and recording changed same day on menu. Encourage appropriate portions and healthy snacking habits as per dietary orders, and ensuring residents participate in regular grocery shopping to increase knowledge of available foods. Direct Support Professionals will sit at the table with residents during mealtimes to model table manners, monitor portions, and provide any assistance needed. Maintain daily log and information exchange with other staff by recording events of the day and needed communication on daily log sheets, dating and signing each entry, and by reading and initialing log daily and at shift change. All entries are to be legible and professional in nature. Agency Related Duties: Record actual hours worked daily on specified timesheet as per agency guidelines, having available for supervisor approval on last day of pay period or as otherwise directed. All leave requests must be submitted in writing and approved by supervisor prior to leave, as per agency guidelines. Record all mileage using specified forms as per agency guidelines and submitting with time sheet on last day of pay period for approval. Attend staff meetings and scheduled inservice as requested by supervisor and meeting agency inservice requirements, completing all assigned tasks within designated time frames. Be present in unit during scheduled working hours excepting scheduled medical appointments and agency related duties to ensure that individual emergencies, medication pick-ups, and interagency communication can be handled. This may include providing coverage for individuals at other units as requested. Obtain residential personal needs purchases and assist with banking and maintaining individual personal needs funds according to needs or request of resident and based on availability of individual funds; always obtain a receipt and completing in-house receipt at time of purchase; completing ledgers per agency guidelines, counting monies daily or at beginning/end of shift, notifying supervisor immediately of discrepancies. Expectations for Completion of Job Duties: Display professional appearance and behavior, interacting with other staff, individuals, parents, and service providers in a cooperative and friendly manner as observed by supervisor. Punctual and dependable at reporting to work. (Absenteeism and lateness does not result in adverse affects on the effective operation of the facility). Perform job duties with a positive attitude, responding to peak work period without loss of quality, accuracy, and thoroughness. Uphold individual rights by following individual rights and confidentiality guidelines and agency abuse, neglect, mistreatment, and exploitation policy daily. Provide positive role model to staff and individuals always, avoiding use of profanity or derogatory slang, arriving to work in proper attire, modeling good problem solving and social interactions.   Position Requirements GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: High School Diploma or GED. Previous experience in related field preferred. Must have valid drivers license, reliable transportation, and proof of insurance. Motor vehicle report meeting driving requirements required prior to employment and are to be updated upon request. SUPERVISON RECIEVED: Works directly under supervision of the Program Manager; receives general guidelines and instruction from the Program Director. CEO available to resolve unusual work problems.   Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time and/or Part-Time   Shift Various Shifts   Exempt/Non-Exempt Non-Exempt   About the Organization Cottonwood is an expanding non-profit agency based in Englewood, Colorado. Cottonwood provides direct care and community assistance to individuals all over the Denver metro area.   EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.   This position is currently accepting applications. 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